AGENDA Finish Ethical Dilemma Skits Present Skits Introduction to Divine Command Theory Guided Practice Exit Questions

Group Work Expectations We only have 10 minutes to finish preparing our skits for presentation Your skit must show an ethical dilemma It must be school appropriate Groups must be working on polishing skits only

Critique Performances How did your peers do? Did they show a clear ethical dilemma? Were their responses to their dilemma ethical?

Divine Command Theory Sent from Above?

Introduction Divine Command Theory differs greatly from Ethical Relativism. Ethical Relativism was the belief that there are no universal standards for what is right and wrong.

What is Divine Command? Divine Command is the belief that all ethical beliefs come from a deity, who has given commands to be followed. It is the duty of everyone to follow these commands. Whatever the deity commands one to do, is ethical, no matter what it is.

This belief system is one that has been used across the world, and in many religions. It has been used as a justification for doing what is ethical.

Joan of Arc

Think-Pair-Share (2 minutes) Turning to somebody next to you: What do you think of this theory, that says that every moral action is dictated from above? What are some controversies that you could think of within this theory?

This ethical belief has had both many who criticize it and many who defend it.

Plato

Euthyphro Dilemma The Greek philosopher Plato came up with the Euthyphro Dilemma. The main question in this dilemma is “Does God command the good because it is good, or is it good because it is commanded by God? “

Additional Questions There are additional questions that are raised for this theory: Is there a God or deity? How can we know their thoughts? If the deity makes us perform acts that we feel are objectionable, is it moral because the deity says so?

Within Religions Even within major religions today, the Divine Command Theory has largely been replaced by another, Natural Law. The theory of Natural Law moves away from saying that all beliefs on ethics come directly from above, instead saying that human beings’ impulses on doing what is right and wrong come from the deity.

Guided Practice Joan of Arc worksheet. You may complete this activity either in pairs or alone. Noise must be kept at a conversation level (the noise that it takes to speak to someone next to you) only.

Exit Questions What is Divine Command Theory? Why is the theory so controversial? List some of the problems that people have about the Theory. What is the Euthyphro Dilemma? What theory has come to replace Divine Command?